How to remove the ProSearchConverters browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ProSearchConverters?
ProSearchConverters is a browser hijacker promoting (through redirects) the prosearchconverters.com fake search engine. Additionally, this browser extension likely spies on users' browsing activity. Since most users download/install browser hijackers inadvertently, they are also classified are PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
ProSearchConverters browser hijacker in detail
ProSearchConverters reassigns browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs to fake web searcher addresses. Hence, new browser tabs/windows opened - redirect to prosearchconverters.com.
Illegitimate search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other genuine ones. This applies to prosearchconverters.com; it redirects to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com) and the nearbyme.io fake search engine (possibly others). While nearbyme.io can generate search results, they are inaccurate and may promote untrustworthy/malicious content.
Browsers hijackers also use persistence-ensuring techniques, which prevent users from recovering their browsers without removing the software affecting them.
Most browser hijackers record users' browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect sensitive data extracted from it (IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc.). The gathered information is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, data-tracking software can cause severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even lead to identity theft. Therefore, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.
Name | ProSearchConverters |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | ProSearchConverters |
Promoted URL | prosearchconverters.com |
Detection Names (prosearchconverters.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (prosearchconverters.com) | 104.21.30.127 |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Browser hijackers in general
SearchStreamz, GetRadioSearch, GetStreamSearch, StreamSearchly, and SuperVideoSearch are a few examples of browser hijackers.
Despite the legitimate appearance of PUAs (browser hijackers included), they pose a threat to device/user safety. Unwanted software lures users with fake features, and instead of delivering on any promises - it can hijack browsers, force-open sites, run intrusive advertisement campaigns (adware), and collect private data.
How did ProSearchConverters install on my computer?
PUAs are distributed using the "bundling" method - packing ordinary programs with unwanted/malicious additions. Rushed download/installation processes increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device. Intrusive advertisements are also used to proliferate PUAs. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. Some PUAs may have "official" download webpages.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research software and download only from official/verified sources. Dubious download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - offer bundled and dangerous content.
When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out from all supplements. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate; however, they redirect to questionable sites (e.g., adult-dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).
In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the system must be checked and all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with ProSearchConverters, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of prosearchconverters.com redirecting to the nearbyme.io fake search engine (GIF):
Browser notification containing information about ProSearchConverters:
Deceptive websites used to promote ProSearchConverters:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is ProSearchConverters?
- STEP 1. Uninstall ProSearchConverters application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove ProSearchConverters browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove prosearchconverters.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove prosearchconverters.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
ProSearchConverters browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "ProSearchConverters"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the prosearchconverters.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
ProSearchConverters browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "ProSearchConverters" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "ProSearchConverters", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.prosearchconverters.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "prosearchconverters.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the prosearchconverters.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "ProSearchConverters", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "ProSearchConverters", remove hxxp://prosearchconverters.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with prosearchconverters.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the prosearchconverters.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit prosearchconverters.com website?
The creators of prosearchconverters.com are seeking to increase the number of visitors because the amount of revenue directly depends on it: more visitors means higher profits.
Is visiting prosearchconverters.com a threat to my privacy?
Websites like prosearchconverters.com can be used as tools to gather information about their visitors. The same applies to browser hijackers.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed using untrustworthy browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, and other social engineering techniques. It is also common for apps of this kind to be bundled with other software (to be included in downloaders/installers).
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove ProSearchConverters browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will eliminate all browser-hijacking applications. It is worth mentioning that it can be challenging to remove multiple browser hijackers at once because they can be capable of reinstalling one another. Thus, when there is more than one app of this type present, it is advised to remove it automatically (with apps like Combo Cleaner).
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